TRIPOLI, Mar 18 – Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has redirected crude flows from the Sharara oilfield following a fire incident, while confirming that production has continued without interruption and no casualties were recorded.
According to the state oil firm, output from the field is being gradually rerouted through alternative infrastructure to limit disruptions. Flows are now being channelled via the El Feel pipeline to the Mellitah export terminal, while remaining volumes are being diverted through the Hamada pipeline into storage facilities in Zawiya.
The NOC said the swift response would significantly reduce potential losses, ensuring that production levels remain stable despite the incident.
Sharara is one of Libya’s largest oilfields, with a production capacity estimated between 300,000 and 320,000 barrels per day. The field plays a key role in the country’s oil supply chain and is linked to the Zawiya refinery, Libya’s largest operational refining facility, which has a capacity of about 120,000 barrels per day and is located roughly 40 kilometres west of Tripoli.
Operations at Sharara are managed by Acacus Oil Company, a joint venture involving the NOC and several international partners including Spain’s Repsol, France’s TotalEnergies, Austria’s OMV and Norway’s Equinor.
Although unverified videos circulating online showed thick black smoke rising from a desert location, authorities have not reported further damage beyond the initial fire.
Libya’s oil sector has faced recurring disruptions over the years, driven by political tensions, technical challenges and periodic shutdowns linked to protests since the 2011 uprising.
